The eagerly-awaited match took place at the Bradley Community Stadium and a capacity crowd of around 1,200 packed in to watch what turned out to be an entertaining game.

The Mariners gave game-time to as many first team players as possible as Russell Slade starts to build-up fitness in his new-look squad.

He has already brought in four new signings so far this summer, with more expected to follow before the League Two big kick-off next month.

While the result tonight may not be of great importance, Mariners defender Danny Collins said his side want to “put down a marker” and produce a solid performance. They certainly showed spirit in coming from 2-0 down to win 4-2.

Cleethorpes Town went into the game on a high after a brilliant season – which culminated in promotion to the Evo-Stik League Division One South, as well as a memorable Wembley final in the FA Vase, when they lost against South Shields.

Key Events

Manager reaction

After the match GTFC boss Russell Slade said: “It isn’t quite about performance at this moment in time.

“You’re wanting players to do the right things at the right times, and you’re wanting to see good habits and good decisions.

“It’s six weeks of hard, solid graft. I’m interested to see how they develop from today, and then from Thursday, and then from Saturday, and then next week to see them evolve, that’s what I’m looking for.”

Thanks for joining us for tonight’s live blog. Check back tomorrow for more reaction to the game.

21:04KEY EVENT

Full-time: Clee Town 2-4 Grimsby Town

That’s it! A good win in the end for the Mariners in their first game back in action, but the Owls certainly played their part and had their Football League neighbours sweating for a long time!

20:58James Findlater

Winding down...

Getting close to the end here now, looks like Town will pick up a win in their opening pre-season game

20:53Trevor Green

Rallying his troops

What a turn-around. From 2-0 down to 4-2 up! Russell Slade is still urging his men on

(Image: Duncan Young)

20:50KEY EVENT

Yussuf makes it 4-2!

The Mariners have a two-goal lead thanks to a thumping strike from Yussuf after good work from Dembele down the right!

20:44KEY EVENT

Osborne with a stunner!

What a goal! The midfielder spots the keeper off his line and pings the ball over his head from inside his own half to make it 3-2 to the Mariners!

20:44Trevor Green

Loving it!

These fans are getting their money’s worth tonight!

(Image: Duncan Young)

(Image: Duncan Young)

(Image: Duncan Young)

20:41James Findlater

Boyce hits the bar!

A great effort from the defender as he rises highest from a corner and crashes his header against the woodwork!

20:36James Findlater

Free-kick for the Owls

It’s around 25 yards out, Alex Flett strikes it but it’s cleared away by a Town defender

20:36Trevor Green

At full-stretch

Here’s a great picture of James McKeown in full flight, trying to keep Clee Town at bay. It’s currently 2-2 in an entertaining match.

(Image: Duncan Young)

20:33James Findlater

Chance for Yussuf

The frontman turns on the edge of the box and gets his shot away, but it just rolls past the post

20:32Trevor Green

Action-packed game

Here’s some action pictures from tonight’s clash from our photographer Duncan Young

(Image: Duncan Young)

(Image: Duncan Young)

(Image: Duncan Young)

20:28James Findlater

Cardwell brings Town level!

The trialist has struck! Cardwell receives the ball just inside the box, turns and fires the ball into the net. A well-taken goal for the man looking to impress tonight

20:24James Findlater

Town’s trialist Harry Cardwell almost makes an immediate impression as slides the ball through for Dembele, but the winger can only shoot straight at Clee’s replacement goalkeeper from a tight angle

20:20James Findlater

Back underway

The Owls kick us off for the second half

20:19James Findlater

Teams back out

Both sides are out once again for the second half, and Town have a new XI: Killip; Mills, Boyce, Clarke, Venney; Dembele, Rose, McAllister, Osborne; Cardwell, Yussuf

20:02James Findlater

Half-time: Clee Town 2-1 Grimsby Town

The ref brings the first half to an end. The Mariners have had chances to get back level in this game, but it’s the Owls who are in front at the break.

19:58James Findlater

Goal disallowed

Town have an effort ruled out as Summerfield charges onto a loose ball before the ball is turned into the net. Looked like the ball just brushed the midfielder’s hand. Still 2-1 to Clee

19:53James Findlater

Great chance for Davis

Another misplaced pass back, this time it’s Liam Davis who latches onto it, but McKeown does well to save the shot with his foot

19:51James Findlater

Late free-kick for Town

Summerfield sends the ball into the box, it’s headed straight up in the air before the Owls clear

19:50James Findlater

Half-time approaches

Not long until the break now. Owls still in the lead at 2-1, but the Mariners have had chances to level it - and take the lead

19:47James Findlater

Free-kick for the Owls

The hosts have the ball around 30 yards out, Peter Winn steps up but sends his effort well over the bar

19:46James Findlater

Another chance for Vernon

The striker breaks free of the defence but directs his shot straight at Higton. Another great chance for him

19:45James Findlater

Goal disallowed

Berrett goes up for a header with Higton. The keeper gets a hand to it but the ball falls to Vernon who buries the ball home, but the ref blows for a foul on Higton by Berrett. Looked a bit harsh to me. Still 2-1 to Clee

19:42James Findlater

Great chance for Vernon!

Berrett swings a great ball in from the left and Vernon meets it with his head, but it bounces safely into the hands of Liam Higton. Should have done better

19:37James Findlater

Another free-kick for Clee

Ben Davies gives away a foul, and the Owls have it in a similar position to their last one. This time, they go straight for goal, but it goes wide

19:35James Findlater

Free-kick to Clee

The Owls have it over on the left of the pitch, it’s swung into the box but the Mariners clear it

19:32James Findlater

Mariners on the attack

Town are threatening down the left with Max Wright. He finds Scott Vernon in the box, but the striker is faced with a blue and black wall and he can’t get his shot away

19:27James Findlater

Owls hit the post!

It’s been quite a hectic start to the game! Andy Taylor almost grabs a second as he works his way along the edge of the box before firing his effort against the woodwork!

19:25KEY EVENT

Town pull one back!

Getting hard to keep up with this now! Town make it 2-1 as Summerfield’s cross finds James Berrett, who heads in to cut the deficit!